Gibbons:

Chairwoman Mary Gibbons is at it again as she states this time that County will be back in the Football League this time next year, and praises Peter Ward for Ray Mathias’ good work since he came in as County boss!

Gibbons, speaking to BBC Sport, says that ‘things were already in place’ for Mathias to do his job as caretaker manager after what she called ‘brilliant work by Peter (Ward) and Alan (Lord)’.

“Ray has done a very, very good job since he’s taken over the reigns. But a lot of the work, as Ray would actually tell you, had already been put in place.”

“When they came to the football club he was actually standing in working alongside Peter (Ward) and Alan (Lord) and they’d actually implemented a lot of things that have come to the front now.”

“Ray has got a contract until the end of the season and obviously the managerial position is being looked at at the moment.”

“Ray has done a great job at Stockport County and he has made comments and shown an interest in wanting to stay on, so what we need to do now as a board is discuss that position and appoint accordingly.”

Sounds like ‘thanks but no thanks’ personally.

But she wasn’t done there.

“I understand that the fans are drowning their sorrows at the moment, but we are preparing for life in the Conference and will be ready for promotion this time next season.”

“Hopefully this time next year we’re cracking open the champagne and celebrating our immediate return to the Football League.”

Eeeek. Another painful interview.